Rocky Graziano vs Tony Zale III

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The fight had been postponed one day because of rain. Graziano was a 12 to 5 favorite. There was a crowd of 21,497 at Ruppert Stadium. The gross gate was $335,646, radio rights were $45,000, and movie rights were $25,000. Television was banned by the promoters. Graziano was assured a purse of $120,000 and Zale $60,000. Zale decked Graziano with a left hook for a 3-count in the first round. Graziano was hurt by a right in the second round but came back and hurt Zale with his own right. In the third round, Zale dropped Graziano for a seven-count with a left hook. Shortly after getting up, Graziano was knocked cold by a left hook to the jaw and counted out. Zale became the third boxer to regain the World Middleweight Championship. Stanley Ketchel and Al Hostak were the other two.